Orthopaedic benchto improve the therapeutic condition of the spine and back

ABSTRACT

An orthopaedic bench to improve the therapeutic condition of the spine and back with a surface profile that presents an outline inclined downwards upon which the person lying supine with the head downwards rests freely, without making any effort and without fixing devices simply by exploiting the force of gravity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the technology of orthopaedic equipment, specifically the equipment used for improving the condition of the spine and back.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known that in health care facilities, several kinds of complex orthopaedic tools are used to put the spine under traction. Some simpler tools for domestic use are also known, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,103,681, 3,570,479, 2,533,273.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,681 patent shows equipment consisting of a table whose inclination can be adjusted through a mechanism with toothed wheels controlled by the patient.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,479 shows equipment consisting of an overturning table at whose endings the feet or the head of the patient is secured.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,273 it shows a bench inclined downwards to increase the blood flow to the neck and the face of the patient in order to cure skin problems.

The problem to be solved is to develop an orthopaedic device, which is easy to use, affordable and effective. The solution proposed by the present invention improves the condition of the spine and back with an optimal combination of gentle decompression, correct positioning of knees and no concentration of stress on joints or ligaments.

DESCRIPTION

The invention is disclosed in details with reference to the figures of the drawings that are attached but are not restricticted by these examples.

FIG. 1 presents an orthopaedic bench with an upper surface that gradually inclines downwards.

FIG. 2 presents a person supine on the bench. It can be noted that the person head is oriented downwards and the legs are folded, with feet placed flatly on the ground.

It should be pointed out that the knees are bent and at a higher position than the spine of the person lying on the bench. It should also be pointed out that the person lying in this position does not have to make any effort but simply lie in a resting position. In such a position the component of the body weight along the inclined planes exerts a gentle tensile action on the spine. Such longitudinal tension is an effect of natural gravity that favours the decompression of the spine. Both figures show clearly that the bench works without auxiliary tools such as belts, hooks or similar attachments.

The bench consists of the areas characterized by different surface qualities: the area inclined downwards has a surface of low (smooth) friction whereas in the upper zone the surface is of high friction.

In the figures the detail is marked as follows:

-   1 indicates the bench structure -   2 indicates the smooth part inclined downwards -   3 indicates the upper zone or seat of high friction -   4 indicates the height of the bench with respect to the floor

The invention allows for several variations of practical development as far as the dimensioning, structural proportioning and technological choices of building materials are concerned.

Therefore, all therapeutic benches that feature the characteristics as basically described, illustrated and hereinafter claimed will be considered as being part of the protection sphere of present invention. 

1. Orthopaedic bench for improving therapeutic condition of a user's spine or back by decompression, comprising: a resting member (2) having a surface to lie supine on and being curved such that, in a user's rest position, the user's head is orientated downwards to a first end of the surface; and a supporting member (1) for supporting the resting member (2) such that the surface of the resting member (2) is inclined relative to a floor on which the bench (1) is to be put; characterized in that the supporting member is formed such that the surface has a height (4) at a second end thereof, the second end opposing the first end, such that in the user's rest position the user can put his/her feet on the floor while the user's knees are bent and higher than the user's spine or back relative to the floor.
 2. Orthopaedic bench according to claim 1, characterized in that the height (4) is such that the user's knees are higher than a plane of the user's spine or back.
 3. Orthopaedic bench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface has two zones with different friction coefficients, a first zone (2) having a first friction coefficient, and a second zone having a second friction coefficient higher than the first friction coefficient and being arranged at the second end of the surface.
 4. Orthopaedic bench according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bench is free of concentration zones straining the user's joints or ligaments.
 5. Orthopaedic bench according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the curved surface is composed of a plurality of plane surfaces connected to each other.
 6. Orthopaedic bench according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface is composed of three plane surfaces, wherein an inclination angle, relative to the floor, of each is decreasing from the first end to the second end of the surface.
 7. Orthopaedic bench according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the surface is orientated substantially parallel to the floor at the second end thereof.
 8. Orthopaedic bench according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface is curved convex. 